You will learn all of these things at orientation, in addition to receiving coupons for discounts on merchandise at the bookstore. (Parents: It’s wise to stock up on your own scarlet and gray fashion accessories, too!)

3. Lace up your sneakers – and connect to the bus schedule.

At 1,777 acres, the Columbus campus is sprawling, and woe to the student(or parent) whose footwear is more fashionable than functional.But while Ohio State students walk a lot, campus is accessible.

Download the OSU Mobile app to put campus in your pocket. It’s the official app of Ohio State, and it's at your service with features like an interactive campus map and a real-time bus locator. After orientation, use it to access your class schedule, grades and BuckID data.

Want to connect with the generations of students who have come before you on this campus? Stop by University Museum, located in the lobby of University Hall, for inspiration.

5. Columbus is not your typical college town.

Columbus is the 15th largest city in the U.S., brimming with diversity among the 1.75 million people who live in the metropolitan area.

In addition to being the state capital, Columbus is headquarters for five Fortune 500 companies. Hometown brands – Wendy’s, Victoria’s Secret, Nationwide, DSW and more – are household names around the world.

Columbus enjoys cheering for the Buckeyes but also its professional soccer and NHL teams. The Short North Arts District just a few blocks south of campus features fantastic gallery hops once a month. Our local zookeeper is a celebrity conservationist, and our local science museum has been inspiring and wowing visitors for 50 years. (Living on a college student’s budget? Who isn’t? D-Tix, offering discounts for students to citywide events, will become your best friend.)

7. Savor the special moments.

College is a magical time, and Ohio State is an incredible place. There will be moments in your time at Ohio State that are just plain jaw-dropping awesome, and you should stop and savor that “Buckeye moment,” whatever it is.

Your lifelong journey as a Buckeye starts now.

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Guess who else is #new2OSU?

Ohio State newcomers are joining Buckeye Nation at a special time: This summer, the university welcomes its 15th president, Michael V. Drake, MD.

“There are many things that attracted us to Columbus and to The Ohio State University,” Drake says. “The academic opportunity, quality of the people and the spirit of The Ohio State University is something that really extends through all four corners of the state.”